Dexcom Is Putting Out There
Posted on August 2, 2009
Filed Under Juvenile Diabetes, dexcom continuous glucose monitor, omnipod insulin pump | 11 Comments
I have had a couple of meetings with Springfield’s Dexcom rep this week and I’m getting really excited about what they have planned for Springfield.
I have been Dexcomin’g it for approximately 15 weeks now. My hemoglobin A1c dropped from a 9.4% to a 6.8% and shocked not only me, but my family and friends too. I didn’t realize how bad I really had felt, blood sugar-wise. I have now become a firm believer that every diabetic should be on a continuous glucose monitor, they just don’t know it yet. And most of the time, the medical staff doesn’t know it yet, either. But that whole thought is a rabbit I will chase in another blog post.
The continuous glucose monitor is a new technology that has been on the market for a couple of years now. There are other continuous glucose monitors (cgms) out there, however I personally prefer the Dexcom Seven Plus. The reason being is that it is smaller and easier to wear than some other companies. It’s about the size of two quarters laying side by side and is really flat. Plus you don’t have to tape it down like some other cgm’s. It works out nicely for me.
And Dexcom happens to be a company that is one of the front runners in this technology. It works together with my insulin pump to manage my type 1 diabetes. It is a sensor that is inserted into my skin (no, there is not a needle in me the whole time) and sticks to an area of my body that has some “pinch-a-ble” real estate. Believe me, I have plenty of “pinch-a-ble” real estate and it’s not hard to find a spot, but I typically like to wear it on the back of my arm or on my lower back.
The sensor stays in place on my body for 7 days, reading the sugar levels of my interstitial fluid. The great thing about the Dexcom is that it shows me the trends of which direction my blood sugar is going. If it is on the rise, I can then bolus a small amount of insulin from my Omnipod insulin pump to cover the rising level. It gives you a reading approximately every 5 minutes of where your blood sugar is, therefore checking it over 250 times per day.
You can set up your options on the Dexcom to alert you if you go above or below a certain number. I set my high limit at 240 and my low limit at 80. That way, when I receive a reading above or below those numbers, the Dex alerts me with a vibration notification first, then a beep (if I ignore it). The object of the game is to stay between those lines of 80 and 240 (for me). For some reason, I still find fascination in posting pictures of the Dexcom receiver when I have solid readings between the lines for several hours on end. I then e-mail these pictures to my Mom to prove to her that I am taking care of myself. But, again, I’m off on a tangent.
But back to what is being planned for Dexcom and Springfield. I am teaming up with the Dexcom rep to help plan out a big event to put on in Springfield this fall. It will be an awareness, informational and sign-you-up event. And they plan to treat their consumers well (a.k.a. wine you and dine you most likely). I don’t have all of the details, I just know that they will be bringing in patients, like me, to tell our story. There will be healthcare and medical staff, and other families and patients that are interested in the product and just want to get to know more about it. I don’t have all the specifics, but I will let you know as they get close. Just know that Dexcom is putting it out there, and if you are affected by diabetes…you should take a look.
*Update 4-11-2010: Our regional Dexcom reps will be putting together an informational meeting/gathering in Springfield this summer. I will post the details as soon as I know something. I know that they also plan to update everyone on their involvement with the Artificial Pancreas Project (APP) which is sponsored by JDRF.
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11 Responses to “Dexcom Is Putting Out There”
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Link Me In!
Jessica
I’m a long-time user of the Dexcom (March 2007) and I’ve watched it evolve and improve. I know they plan to work with the OmniPod, but I wasn’t aware that it’s already doing this. Have fun at the event, maybe you can publicize it on the TuDiabetes.com events page. I just wish it was Springfield, MA then I’d try and get there.
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Hey Bernard, thanks for your comment. I have read your blog and I know you’ve been Dexcoming it for quite some time. Isn’t it amazing to see the technology improve in such a short amount of time?! Thanks for the tip about posting it on TuDiabetes. I will do that. I’ll keep you posted with pictures and the next time I’m in your area (or you are here) we will meet up!
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Hello Jessica
I found your entry on Dexcom very interesting and encouraging. I was a Minimed pumper, but have turned to OmniPod about the past two months. I have avoided CGM, because of the need to insert yet another device, which is somewhat duplicative of frequent glucose testing. Your comments, however, are making me rethink my reluctance to take on CGM. Thanks for your information.
Irv
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Thanks for the comment Irv. I certainly hope it works out for you. And BTW…the Dexcom is a lightweight compared to the ‘pod. However, for me, they both play nicely together. Good luck!
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Hey Jessica: Thanks for the blog posts to read, and also sending me the number for your Dexcom rep in the St. Louis area… I’m in Indy, but may be the same one or be able to hook me up. I am on the Minimed Paradigm, but it appears from several D-bloggers that the Dexcom7 is better than the Minimed-versions of CGMs. I want to try one out for both, before making a decision. Not really looking at switching pumps at this point as I’ve always been confident and secure with Minimed, but you never know what future holds. Look forward to keeping in touch on this.
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Just switched from the Mnimed CGM to the Dexcom7 — and what a difference! Minimed’s was all over the map, sometimes accurate, sometimes way off the mark. I called the company for help, but I still had trouble with it. And if you don’t trust the CGM readings, what’s the point of wearing it?? My doctor suggested the Dexcom, and it is amazing. Simpler to insert, calibrate, use and extremely accurate. Love it, love it, love it. It cannot talk to the Minimed Paradigm pump, so I’m actually looking at switching pumps!
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Jessica Hickok Reply:
April 11th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
@M Soule – So glad you like the Dexcom! I never tried the MM CGM because I got off of the MM pump years ago and have been using Omnipod. They don’t talk together yet, but I know it will be soon! Nonetheless, I couldn’t agree with you more when you say “if you can’t trust the CGM readings what’s the point in wearing it.” That’s a frustrating feeling and I’m glad you’re happy with the direction (literally!) that you are going.
Thanks for your comment, it truly is appreciated! -Jessica
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cherise , Stacey D.. Stacey D. said: RT @SugarCube: [Not a new post, but an update] Dexcom Is Putting Out There – http://toast.tw/100pqt [...]
PLEASE PLEASE keep me updated! You know as a springfieldian and dexcom user I would love to be involved/help out wherever I can!
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Jessica Hickok Reply:
April 11th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
You, my dear Sarah Jane, are on my list. Trust me, I will keep you posted as I know things, because you will be a very key player in this event.
BTW…we need to get together and chat. I need to give you Twitter and Blogging credentials for JDRF Ozarks. I am in desperate need of some help with those two fledgling items. What’s your schedule look like this week or next to meetup for coffee or lunch? DM or text me.
Thanks for the RT on this post!
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[Not a new post, but an update] Dexcom Is Putting Out There – http://www.jessicahickok.com/archives/66...
via Twitoaster
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